Toy badge.



J. J. MEEHAN.

TOY BADGE.

APPLICATION rum) DBO. 24,1906.

Patented Oct. 17,1911.

COLUMBIA PLANDLIRAPH IO-,WASIIINOTON. D. c.

JOHN J. MEEHAN, OF. DENVER, COLORADO.

TOY BADGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

Application filed December 2 1, 1906. Serial No. 349,292.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. MEEHAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toy Badges; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in toy badges, my object being the same as that set forth in my Patent No. 869,792, dated October 29, 1907.

One form of the device as shown herein, is constructed with a body part containing a design or picture of any desired character, the said picture being concealed by a lid or cover acted on by a spring whose tendency is to hold the cover in the open position whereby the design is exposed. The body of the device is provided with suitable means engaging a latch of the cover, whereby the latter is held in the closed position. The holding or locking means is spring-actuated and may be moved to disengage the latch and release the cover, by pulling a cord or other flexible device.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure 1 may be said to be a front view of my improved device with the lid open, the diaphragm or part upon which the design is formed, being removed. Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 Fig. 1 with the diaphragm in position. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device with the lid closed. Fig. 4 is a similar view with the lid open. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the complete device shown in the closed position. Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the spring-actuated locking device. Fig. 7 is a detail View of the spring employed in this form of the device. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the lid in the closed position.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a small box cealed within the garment of the user.

or receptacle to which is hinged a lid 6 as shown at 7 Within the box or casing 5 is located a coil spring 7, one extremity of which protrudes through a slot 6 and bears against the lid 6, while the other extremity engages the upturned end 8 of a locking plate 9 movably mounted in the casing by means of a pin 10 passing through a slot 12 formed in the plate. The head of this pin is of sufficient size to hold the plate in place but the pin is so secured that the plate is allowed to move freely within the casing. This plate is provided with a reduced end 13, which passes through an opening 14:

formed in the rim of the case and communieating with an opening 15 adapted to receive a latch 16 formed 011 the cover 6; hen the cover is closed, the reduced extremity 13 of the locking plate engages the cover in the closed position, since the spring 7 actson the plate to hold it in engagement with the latch. Connected with the upturned extremity 8 of the locking plate, is a flexible device 17 which passes through an opening18 formed in the back of the case and extends downwardly and may be con- In this form of the device the back of the casing is provided with a sort of button 19 adapted to enter the button hole of a coat or other similar garment. Within this casing may be located a disk or plate 20 of any suitable material, and upon which may be formed any desired design. This design is of course concealed when the cover or lid 6 is closed. The user may expose this design any time by pulling upon the flexible device, and this exposure may be entirely unexpected by others. In other words the lid will open without any apparent cause since as before stated the actuating cord or the cord for releasing the spring-actuated lid, may be concealed.

As shown in the drawing (see Fig. 1) the outer surface 6 of the lid or cover 6 is provided with a design, for the purpose of indicating that the device may be worn as an ordinary badge with any of the ordinary designs such as are used by fraternal or secret orders.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a toy badge, the combination of a body member, means for retaining the body member in position upon the garment, a spring-actuated cap or cover for the said body member, a movable plate mounted in the body member and having a locking device for locking the cover in position, the said plate having a slot, a guide pin inserted in the said slot, a spring member arranged in the body member and engaging one extremity of the said plate for holding the locking device of the plate in the lock ing position, a flexible device connected with the movable plate for releasing the cover, the said flexible device passing through the body member, and a plate member concealed by the cover when closed, but exposed when the cover is open, substantially as described.

2. In a toy badge, the combination with a hollow body member, means for retaining the body member in place upon the garment, a spring-actuated cap or cover, a spring-held locking plate mounted in the body member for locking the cover in the closed position, a flexible device connected with the movable plate for releasing the cover from its locked position, the body member having an opening in the side next to the garment, the saidflexible device being adapted to pass therethrough, and a plate concealed by the cover of the body member when closed, and exposed when the cover is open, substantially as described.

3. In a toy badge, the combination with a casing, means for securing the casing to the garment of the wearer, a cover hinged to the casing, a spring located within the said casing and having one extremity hearing upon the said cover, whereby the latter has a normal tendency to open, a plate located within the casing and engaged by the opposite extremity of the spring for lock ing the cover in the closed position in opposition to the spring, the said plate being provided with a slot, and a pin passed through the slot and fixedly connected with the casing, whereby the plate is mounted to have a limited movement, the casing having an opening in the rear, and a flexible device connected with the locking plate and passed through the said opening for actuating the locking plate for releasing the cover.

Al. In a toy badge the combination with a casing, and a cover hinged to the casing, a spring located within the said casing and bearing upon the said cover, whereby the latter has a normal tendency to open, a plate located within the casing, and also engaged by the spring for locking the cover in the closed position in opposition to the spring, the said plate being mounted to have a limited degree of movement, the casing having an opening, and a flexible device connected with the locking plate and passed through the said opening for actuating the locking plate to release the cover, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. MEEHAN.

WVitnesses DENA NELSON, O'r'ro E. HODDIOK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. U. 

